B.j.'s Developer Wins Approval For Encroachment

April 14, 1998|By DAVID OWENS; Courant Staff Writer

TORRINGTON — A proposal to build a B.J.'s Wholesale Club on the site of the old Star's department store took a step forward Monday, but there is still a lot that can go wrong, the project's developer said.

The zoning board of appeals voted unanimously to approve a variance that would allow the developers to encroach on a required 25-foot buffer between commercial and residential zones. The developer's plan calls for encroaching 15 feet into that buffer with a roadway.

John M. Larson, a vice president with West Hartford-based Konover Development Corp., said concrete and broken-up asphalt already encroaches more than 15 feet into the buffer zone. Larson said the hardship his company faces is providing B.J.'s with a store the company deems acceptable. Carving the edge off the building is not an option. Also, Konover only owns the land beneath the stores. Another party owns the parking lot land. So extending the building onto another portion of the parcel is impossible, Larson said.

As part of its arrangement with the parking lot owners, Konover must also build a 6,000-square-foot store. As part of its plan to develop the site, Konover will make several other improvements that are required by zoning rules, such as planting trees and shrubs, installing sidewalks and reducing encroachment on other buffer zones.

Zoning board of appeals members said their votes in favor of the variance were because the overall development plan will improve the otherwise unsightly Star's lot.

Neighbors said they too favor the plan, although one, Roger Broggi of Greenridge Road, urged the developer and city officials to consider traffic the new store will generate.

Under Konover's plan, the old Star's department store will be torn down. In its place, Konover plans to build a 6,0000-square-foot store between the existing Eblen's store and the proposed 68,160-square-foot B.J.'s store.

John Lucas, representing the neighboring Georgetown Gardens apartments, said the Konover development plan is good for the neighborhood. The encroachment into the buffer zone is far offset by the improvements Konover will make, he said.

Gary DelMonte, owner of Getty state on East Main Street adjacent to the Star's property, said Konover's plan will clean up the whole area and make good sense.

Larson said B.J.'s is anxious to have the store built and move in by November, but there are several problems that could crop up and derail the plan. Company officials are evaluating the construction budget and other details, he said.

Also Monday, the zoning board of appeals heard a request by Keith and Paul Phalen to allow them to increase the impervious surface ratio of their property at 285 Migeon Ave. Keith Phalen runs Phalen Funeral Home there. Paul Phalen told the board he and his brother want to increase the impervious surface ratio -- the portion of the lot that is not grass or dirt -- to 61 percent from 55 percent.

By getting that variance in the rules, they'd then be able to build a driveway in front of the funeral home.

Migeon Avenue resident Charles Perret opposed the application, contending the variance is not necessary and that the Phalen's failed to meet the city's requirements to qualify for a variance. The board tabled the application until next month.